Latest Android Kit Kat leak shows off new interface

Although Google is expected to announce Android 4.4 Kit Kat and the Nexus 5 next Tuesday, Android blog Tutto Android seems to have beaten the big G to the punch. The site posted on Friday what appear to be photos of the Nexus 5 running the latest version of Android, as well as a short rundown of some of the most prominent new features included in the update.

Tutto AndroidAndroid 4.4 reportedly has a new app drawer.

According to the report, Android 4.4 Kit Kat boasts a new home screen, lock screen, and app drawer—all of which seem to borrow elements from Apple’s iOS 7.

The blue Holo theme that’s been present since Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich has been dramatically toned down, and the blue coloring has been replaced with an off-white for the menu bar and app drawer.

Certain app icons, such as the Phone, have been revamped and look sharper, and there’s a new app labelled “Google Photos” that seems to have replaced the Gallery app we have today.

The phone itself is fast and responsive, but the software is still buggy. Tutto Android notes that Android 4.4 Kit Kat doesn’t feel as resource heavy as previous versions of the OS—good news for those who worry about how the update will affect the performance of their current devices.

There appears to be some form of optical image stabilization (OIS) in the camera, and the phone has two stereo speakers located on its bottom edge.

Another interesting feature of note is that Google Now can now be accessed by swiping left on the left-most home screen. The report also suggests that the Touchless controls we saw on the Moto X are present on the Nexus 5, but didn’t reveal much more information on the matter.

The visual improvements to Android are welcome, and it’ll be interesting to see how Kit Kat plays with older Android phones lucky enough to see the update. So far most of the rumors surrounding the Nexus 5 have been extraordinarily lackluster, and Google’s going to need an ace up its sleeve if it wants people to get excited about its new toys.

For comprehensive coverage of the Android ecosystem, visit Greenbot.com.